iVou 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N .S.W , 795 



Farmers' Experiment Plots 



Maize Experiments, 1919-20. 



South Coast District. 



R. N. MAKIN, Inspector of Agriculture. 



The crops from the past season's maize experiments were the best harvested 

 for many years on the South Coast. Weather conditions were favourable 

 for heavy yields, owing to bountiful rain falling during December and 

 January, when the crops were cobbing — the critical time with maize. The 

 experiments comprised variety trials and tests to determine the most suitable 

 class of artificial manure for grain and green fodder. 



The following farmers co-operated with the Department in carrying out 



the work : — 



J. H. Martin, Pambula. 



J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. 



E. a. Kelly, Bega. 



L. B. Garrad, Milton. 



Geo. Lindsay, Dapto. 



Superintendent, Bays' Farm Homes, Mittagong. 



J. Timbs, Albion Park. 



V. J. Collins, Bemboka. 



J. Hansen, Moruya. 



At Moruya the returns were, for some unaccountable reason, so variable, 

 that it was decided not to record them. 



The Varieties Reviewed. 



The variety trials were pi-oductive of much interesting information. The 

 season favoured the later maturing varieties, and some heavy yields were 

 obtained. At Pambula a new variety, Kansas Sunflower, yielded 113-8 

 bushels, topping all other varieties, but it was much the latest in point of 

 maturity. On the same plots another new variety, U.S. 133, yielded 80 

 bushels per acre within 130 days of planting:, and attracted a great deal of 

 attention from local farmers on account of its early maturity. Boone 

 County White came well to the fore as a great yielding variety under 

 suitable conditions. It is a fairly hard maize, and yields a fine sample of 

 grain ; the cobs generally set well, and are very uniform, and it is a variety 

 that is fast coming into favour with those who grow white corn. Leaming, 

 Silvermine, and Eureka are varieties that suit the South Coast well. 

 Leaming is a variety very suitable for poultry-farmers, and is also one that 

 will be found to crack well where it is necessary to crack corn. 



Golden Glow, a variety about as early as U.S. 133, is a promising sort. 

 This and Sibley (a variety largely grown in Victoria) were tested at Pambula 



